Sayyiduna Rabee‘ah bin Ka’b Aslami (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions,
“I would spend the night near Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (where I would be able to hear him if he had any need and called for me). (At the time of tahajjud,) I would bring him his water for wudhu and whatever else he required (miswaak, etc).
(On one occasion, when I served Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam] in this manner,) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to me, ‘Ask (me for whatever you want)!’ I replied, ‘I ask you to be close to you in Jannah.’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked me, ‘Is there anything else?’ I answered, ‘That is all.’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then instructed, ‘Assist me against your nafs (carnal self) by making excessive sajdah (i.e. engaging in abundant nafl salaah).’” (Saheeh Muslim #1094 and Sunan Abi Dawood #1320)
The above hadeeth is replete with lessons for us all. Some of these are:
– The Sahaabi, Rabee‘ah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), would deliberately spend the night close to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) so that if Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) required anything and called for him, he would be able to immediately present himself and serve him. Hence, this Sahaabi eagerly awaited the opportunity to serve Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Furthermore, through this service, he earned the du‘aa of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). On our part, if we have parents who require our service, we should serve them with the same devotion, dedication and enthusiasm.
– There are certain times when a person’s du‘aa will be accepted. Since we do not know whose du‘aa will be accepted, and when it will be accepted, we should always value every person’s du‘aa.
– If we were asked to make a wish, what would it be? … This Sahaabi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had such love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and concern for the Aakhirah that his heart’s sole desire was to be close to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in Jannah. We should all make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala to bless us with this type of love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his sunnah.
– If a person wishes to acquire the highest stages of Jannah, he cannot suffice only on the du‘aas of people. While the du‘aas of people are important and will assist one, they will be of no benefit if one does not personally make an effort to please Allah Ta‘ala and attain those stages. Hence, although Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made the du‘aa for the Sahaabi, he also instructed him to engage in abundant nafl salaah. Furthermore, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) indicated to the Sahaabi that the highest ranks in Jannah are only acquired through one opposing his desires to fulfil the commands of Allah Ta‘ala and please Him. From this, we understand that even if every saint in the world makes du‘aa for us, it will NOT benefit us if we are not willing to benefit ourselves by refraining from sin and striving to please Allah Ta‘ala.